Apprenticeships: delivering work-based training and qualifications to employees

Mivan is an internationally renowned bespoke joinery and interior fit-out company. The business, based in Antrim, offers complete turnkey fit-out service to many sectors.

Karen Anderson, HR Manager at Mivan, explains how the company employs around ten new apprentices each year. Karen explains the steps they take to recruit apprentices, how they help to develop apprentices, and the benefits apprentices bring to the success of their business.

Taking on apprentices

“Our apprentice programme is vital to the continuing expansion and success of the business. It enables Mivan to grow talent and develop the skilled and qualified workforce we need. We firmly believe that apprentices are key to the future of Mivan.”

“Our apprenticeship recruitment campaigns are very different from our regular recruitment activity. Apprentice recruitment runs from January to April each year.”

“We promote our apprentice programme with visits to local schools to raise awareness amongst pupils and teachers. We advertise in the local press and promote across social media. We also run an Apprentice Open Day at our facilities each March.”

“Every applicant is invited to attend an interview. Then the shortlisted candidates are invited to complete a set of tasks in a practical workshop. Following this, we will offer around ten successful candidates an apprentice role.”

Benefits of apprentices to our business

“The main advantage to employing apprentices is Mivan continues to grow its workforce of highly skilled craftspeople. It can be challenging to find people with the skills that we require. Our apprentice programme enables us to develop a workforce with the bespoke skills and industry-recognised qualifications we need.”

“Our apprentice programme also provides a solid foundation for those taking part to develop their skills and expand into other career paths within the business such as project management, design, estimating, and factory management.”

Supporting and developing our apprentices

“For many people, starting an apprenticeship is their first step into the workplace after school. To help with this transition, Mivan provides apprentices with a dedicated mentor, structured onboarding and development programmes, extensive training, and regular meetings and check-ins. Apprentices complete several projects, practical assessments, and progress reviews throughout their apprenticeship journey.”

“Once an apprentice is ready to move from the apprentice workshop to the main factory floor, the individual is paired with a mentor who continues to provide one-to-one training, development, and support throughout their apprenticeship and beyond.”

Measuring success

“Mivan apprentices undergo regular progress reviews to assess performance, identify training priorities, and provide the necessary support.”

“Our apprentices have won SkillsBuild NI inter-campus and regional awards. One of our apprentices was also selected to compete in the Skill Build UK National Final for joinery in November 2022.”

“The fact that many of our apprentices have progressed to management positions within the company is a testament to the success of Mivan’s apprentice programme.”

Looking to the future

“We are continually seeking new methods of improving and enhancing our apprenticeship scheme to keep up to date with developments within the industry. We also assess the progress of the current apprentices against previous years to ensure continual improvement.”

“Mivan’s apprenticeship programme has been running for over 20 years with a dedicated mentor and dedicated workshop. We will continue to develop our apprentice facilities and training programme as our business needs adapt to changes and opportunities in our industry.”